Alcoholics Anonymous has been helping countless people gain sobriety for several decades. As opposed to rehabilitation and treatment centers, Alcoholics Anonymous is more of a coming together of groups of individuals, who may be struggling with alcohol themselves, or who have loved ones who need help, in fellowship. The groups follow Twelve Traditions, introduced in 1946, as well as the Twelve Steps towards recovery.

There are two types of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings: the Open meetings, and the Closed meetings.

Open meetings are open to alcoholics and their families, as well as anyone who is interested to help someone solve an issue with drinking. A meeting usually includes a period for local AA announcements, and the passing of the hat by a treasurer, to raise funds to help defray the costs of the meeting hall, literature, and other incidental expenses. Contributions, however, are voluntary, and the AA does not receive external donations.

Once the meeting adjourns, participants usually have coffee or light refreshments.

Closed meetings are limited only to alcoholics. During these meetings, participants are able to share problems regarding drinking patterns, as well as attempts towards stable sobriety. Detailed discussions regarding the different elements of an alcohol abuse recovery program are also done during these meetings.

For those who are living in areas where it is not possible for a group to come together, they may follow the principles of AA on their own, purely through studying AA literature. The AA shared in their website that there are 157 such men and women all over the world who have done this; they are listed as Lone Members at the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous.